10 Best Chef Knives Under $200 – Reviews and Buying Guide
With so many fancy kitchen accessories gracing the markets these days, the chef knife still remains the most important one. To this end, there is no doubt that an investment in the best, high-quality kitchen knife can go a long way in making your job easier.
But before you rush to pick the most popular brand available, we’d like to educate you on a thing or two about the best chef knives under 200. Hopefully, these insights will help you make a firm and informed choice today.
Top Kitchen Knives for the Money – Comparison List
One would think that only the finest knives dominate the knives that fall within this budget range. But is this always the case? Take a look at our list below to get a rough idea of the choices the market has to offer.
1. Zelite Infinity 8’’ Chef Knife
This is a vintage Japanese knife with a razor-sharp edge suitable for cutting and filleting. The blade is crafted out of high-quality carbon stainless steel together with VG-10 steel, another premium grade Japanese steel.
The top-notch construction also ensures that it is corrosion resistant.
The edge is tampered with liquid nitrogen to ensure it is non-stick and durable. This feature renders it stain-free.
It has a solid, rounded handle which gives it a fantastic grip. This design contributes to the safety aspect of the knife, and your wrist will never suffer from fatigue.
Lastly, the 67-layer Damascus pattern gives it a unique and stunning look.
Pros
- Stain and corrosion resistant
- Solid and comfortable handle
- Unique and stunning look
Cons
- Regular sharpening necessary
2. Wusthof Classic Ikon 9’’ Cook’s knife
This highly versatile knife has its blade constructed out of high-quality German carbon steel, which has a reputation of being sturdy, durable and corrosion resistant.
The shaping of the edge is laser-controlled, and this will give you the ultimate sharpness that you desire. It retains the sharpness for long durations and is very easy to use.
It has a sturdy and ergonomic handle which you can use for long periods without experiencing fatigue or wrist sprains. It is also triple-riveted to give it a comfortable and secure grip.
The entire knife has the perfect balance to ensure that cutting, slicing, dicing, and mincing is effortless.
Pros
- Comfortable and secure handle
- Sturdy blade construction
- Versatile
Cons
- Does not hold the edge well
3. Global G2 8’’ Chef’s Knife
The G2 8” Chef’s Knife is part of the Japanese Global brand of knives, and it is their best-selling item. It has a characteristically slim blade, is very lightweight and maintains a very sharp edge.
The blade is constructed out of Cromova 18, which is a combination of Chromium, Molybdenum, and Vanadium. You can sharpen both sides to a 15-degree angle which is a departure from the usual beveled edge we are used to.
You can use a honing steel to help it maintain its edge. It is so soft that even a whetstone would do the trick.
The handle is rounded and hollow, and it features tiny dimples which will contribute to a secure grip. It has the perfect balance owing to the sand injected in it while the rounded finger-notch will give you more control.
Pros
- Arrives sharp
- Sturdy blade construction
- Lightweight
Cons
- Handle tends to break away from the knife
4. Wusthof Classic 8” Chef Knife
This classic knife is designed such that you can use it in your household as well as in a professional setting. It continues to embrace its unique design which has always been associated with it over the years.
The sturdy stainless steel blade offers the perfect weight and balance which makes it suitable for heavy-duty tasks such as chopping and cutting. The edge is one that you can always hand-hone to attain razor-sharpness.
It has an ergonomic handle which is triple-riveted to give it a good grip and strength for superior performance.
It is highly versatile and very dishwasher-safe.
Pros
- Comes with a lifetime guarantee
- Highly versatile
- Easy to maintain
Cons
- Too bulky
5. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife
This highly-rated knife was designed to withstand the daily hustles of the professional environment. Let us start with the ergonomic plastic handle which has such a fantastic grip that you will have an easy time handling it even if your hands are wet.
The blades are monitored by laser technology to ensure that they maintain the ultimate sharpness to give you fantastic performance. The edges are also designed to retain sharpness for longer durations.
It is dishwasher-safe, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Secure grip
- Dishwasher safe
- Durable
Cons
- Dulls easily
6. Shun Premier 8’’ Chef’s Knife
The Shun Premier Chef’s knife is a versatile knife with a rivetless Pakkawood handle which has a comfortable and secure grip that will ensure you never experience fatigue during chopping and slicing.
The laminated blade is constructed from Japanese steel which has a broad blade curve and is equipped with a twenty-two-degree bevel. The steel makes the edge highly durable.
The blade also has a Damascus Pattern cladding with 32 layers of high carbon steel to enhance its toughness.
Pros
- Versatile
- Premium handle with strong grip
- Very durable
Cons
- Not as sharp as expected
7. Dalstrong Chef’s Knife
This knife embraces Japanese craftsmanship and is designed to give you a superior performance as a result of its ultra-sharp edges. The Japanese 3-step Honbanzuke method makes both sides of the blade to highly-polished.
It is Nitrogen-cooled to make it very flexible and hard while the triple-riveted blades ensure that it never gets stuck while cutting the item.
It is highly versatile, and you can use it for chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing. Further, it is equipped with 62+ Rockwell edge retention which means you can use it for longer without it becoming dull.
The handle is non-slip and does not experience temperature variations. The bolsters are tapered to offer you the ultimate finger protection.
Pros
- Very versatile
- Flexible and comfortable handle
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Too bulky
8. Mac Knife Professional 8’’ Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife
This affordable knife has a decent weight due to the spine curve as well as the deep blade curve. The Granton ensures that food does not stick on the blade while the added dimples will prevent the edge from getting stuck while cutting through items.
The Molybdenum steel gives the blade an awesome edge-retention while the Pakkawood handle has an excellent grip and is comfortable for use for longer durations.
It is very sharp and will deliver a satisfactory performance.
Pros
- Non-stick blade
- The handle has awesome grip
- Good edge-retention
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
9. Shun DM0706 8’’Classic Chef’s Knife
This Classic 8-Inch knife is constructed from VG-10 stainless steel which is clad with 32 layers of high-carbon stainless steel and is sturdy with a reputation of excellent edge-retention.
It is highly versatile, and you can comfortably use it mincing, dicing, slicing and chopping. The Pakkawood handle is D-shaped and will give you maximum comfort without the experience of fatigue.
The Damascus steel adds to its rust-resistance property and gives it a stunning look as well. Lastly, it is dishwasher safe and comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
Pros
- Versatile
- Sturdy blade construction
- Rust-resistant
Cons
- Not durable
10. Global G48 7’’ Santoku Hollow Ground Knife
This is one of the cheapest knives in the market that does not compromise on its quality. It is constructed out of molybdenum-vanadium stainless steel and is slim and sharp at the same time.
The relatively sharper edge makes it suitable for cutting fruit and vegetables.
The stainless steel molded handle will fit comfortably in your hands. It has a secure grip thanks to the dimpled pattern on the handle.
It is straightforward to maintain, whereby you are required to use a ceramic sharpener or a whetstone. Lastly, it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Easy to maintain
- Secure grip and perfect balance
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- A bit fragile
The Buying Guide
So, what are some of the key features to be considered when one is purchasing a high-priced chef knife? We all agree that $200 is not pocket change especially when it comes to the purchase of knives given that cheaper options exist. Here are some of the top factors you should keep in mind if you’d like to make an informed choice at this budget range.
Budget
Just how much are you willing to spend on your next knife set? With a flexible budget of around $200, quite a few valuable options exist. Look for a knife that stays sharp. It should also have all the important safety features.
Build Quality
Going hand in hand with the cost or budget of the knife if the build quality. At this price range, you can expect to find forged knives as opposed to stamped ones.
Balance
This is a very important aspect of user experience. You want to find a knife that’s well-balanced so it allows you to chop all the veggies and meat at your own pace.
Which One Is The Best?
The Zelite Infinity 8’’ Chef Knife stuns us with its incredible balance and great size. Its blade is corrosion-resistant as it’s made from premium Japanese steel. And most importantly, you can try this knife risk-free thanks to the company’s money back guarantee.
Final Thoughts
What kind of value would you expect from a knife falling within this budget-range? In our view, you should expect ruthless sharpness, great handling, and premium quality. That’s pretty much what the Zelite Infinity 8-inch Knife seems to offer and that’s why we preferred it for the top position among the best chef knives under 200.
